Olympic torch reaches Tibet without incident

(CNN) -- The Olympic torch made its controversial passage through the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, Saturday with most local residents kept away. But political rhetoric was present, according to a journalist who was there.

Three months after violent anti-Chinese protests in Lhasa, the Olympic torch relay followed a 5.8 mile (9.3 km) route from Norbulingka, originally known as the Dalai Lama's Summer Palace, to the Potala Palace, formerly the chief residence of the Dalai Lama.

Australian journalist Stephen McDonell said "it was quite bizarre" to watch a controlled crowd smile and wave as the flame arrived at the palace. McDonell said it was obvious that ordinary Tibetans were not allowed to attend.

Some Lhasa residents told McDonell they were warned to stay in their homes until the relay ended, he said.

Still, the ceremony was colorful and spectacular, McDonell added.

The local general secretary of the Communist party used the event to make a pro-China political statement against the Dalai Lama's government in exile, McDonell said.

He said the official declared that "the stars of China will forever fly over Tibet and we can smash the Dalai clique."

Chinese officials accuse the Tibetan spiritual leader of promoting independence of Tibet from China, even through the Dalai Lama has repeatedly said he is only seeking more genuine autonomy for the region.

Beijing Olympic officials said 75 of the 156 torchbearers carrying the flame through Lhasa were ethnic Tibetans.

The earthquake that devastated China's Sichuan province last month forced a change in the torch relay schedule, including a reduction from three to just one day the flame's trip through Tibet. Watch the Olympic torch reach Tibet »

The offshoot of the Olympic flame that was carried to the peak of Mount Everest last month was reunited with the main flame during Saturday's Lhasa relay.

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